REasons to run #5,007 - Not only 'still alive' but it's welcomed! lol

[Irish-John]

It was a long flight, and then journey by car, then four days of hectic activity over this weekend.

The Host said something that really hit me when I was leaving...

"Don't give up running ever, John - we would never have thought you would be still alive to be here now if you hadn't started to run all those years ago (2016). And you have so much energy - everyone was talking about how you used to just sit around at gatherings smoking and not doing much - if you showed up at all -but never going anywhere with us or really chatting with us!"

It sounds really stupid - but I never realised just how different things are now compared with how I used to be. I knew I FELT different, and that I have a lot of fun etc because of running - but it hadn't hit me that it also changed how I interacted with people

More energy and yes - fun stories about what I have done and seen while running, rather than before not being able to talk about my work and not having any hobbies nothing there either, run equal a far better guest at these things and that guest has a far a better time too

I used to think Running was just about running - but turns out it's also a new lease on life

[Achilles1956]

That’s a really positive and helpful comment … thank you !

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Achilles1956]

Thank you

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

It really is. It helps us to open our minds and broaden our thinking quite a lot. When I think back to where I was, who I was before my husband crow-barred me off the sofa onto my bicycle, which eventually led me to running, I'm ashamed of how insular I had become, how quickly I said "no" to new things, new experiences. Being active, in any way we can, for as long as we can is definitely key!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

That bloody sofa is so addictive! I too, looking back, cannot fathom how I got so frigging lazy and isolated after a lifetime of basically trying to see and experience as much of the world as possible. Then one day I sat down, turned on a multi-channel TV, brooded about the rotten break I had just been handed...and spent almost two years slowly dying inside without even a qualm...

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

It's such an easy hole to fall into. Sadly even easier now with social media 🙈 scary how much time it can swallow without even noticing!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Opium destroyed Chinese society, the Media is destroying ours imho

[Brixcos Graduate]

Irish-John version 2. Much improved over the v1 model. Yayyyyy!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Brixcos]

LAZARUS! - That's me since C25K! LOL

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

That must have been great to hear John...and eye opening!

Shows how life affirming being a runner can be. More energy, happier and the ripple effect begins!

Love this post. ❤🏃‍♂️xxx

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you Blue That ripple effect was, and continues to be, a veritable Tsunami and thank goodness it is